Racing: Xtravagant fails to fire in A$750k Guineas

Glamour colt Xtravagant will return to New Zealand to spell after his eighth in Saturday's A$750,000 Australian Guineas at Flemington.

It was clear Xtravagant raced below his best New Zealand form when he led and faded late to finish 4.5 lengths from winner Palentino.

Co-trainer Stephen Autridge was at a loss to explain the performance when he spoke to the Herald from Melbourne yesterday.

"Maybe he's had enough," he said.

Xtravagant appeared to race keenly in front, but not too keenly according to rider Matt Cameron.

"Matt said he felt he went along nicely and felt good," said Autridge.

"The time wasn't enormous, 1.35 and something, but that said they didn't run home that fast either, so maybe they were all struggling.

"Hard against the rail probably wasn't the fast lane, but he's a leader and Matt rode him well.

"The vets examined him after the race, including a scope, and they could find nothing wrong with him.

"He can come home now and have a spell, which he's earned. He's pulled up well and the major plus is there is nothing amiss with him."

Palentino was one of a trio of runners produced by Darren Weir. He got up late to just top off Tarzino.

Matt Cameron's charge of not taking every opportunity to obtain the best possible placing on Mime at Ellerslie on January 9 will be heard at Ellerslie this morning.